Wicoie Nandagikendan

07/01/2026

It’s been an honor knowing and spending time with Karen over the last 6 years. Karen was not only an environmental activist and farmer advocate but a fierce supporter of indigenous languages and culture. She was a Board Member of Wicoie Nandagikendan for nearly 2 decades. She stood in solidarity for 30 years, helping to advocate for DOLRA, Minnesota's Dakota and Ojibwe language restoration Act. There are so many words I can continue with here but I will leave it at that for now. My prayers are with her family and WEI family.
Rest In Power Karen

It is with deep sadness that the Women’s Environmental Institute honors the passing of our beloved Activist Executive Director and Co-Founder, Karen Clark. Karen’s lifelong commitment to environmental justice has left an indelible mark on Minnesota and beyond. Karen’s vision, courage, and compassion empowered countless individuals and communities. Her legacy lives on in every advocate she inspired, every farm she supported, and every step toward a more just and sustainable world. In her honor, we recommit to the mission she helped build: Advancing environmental justice, one community, one farm, and one person at a time. Celebration of Life arrangements will be shared in the coming days.

Those of you who have been touched by Karen’s legacy are encouraged to donate to the Karen Clark Memorial Fund. All funds will be directed to Karen’s wife, WEI collaborator and co-founder, Jacquelyn, for the continuation of Karen’s legacy.
https://chuffed.org/project/188769-karen-clark-memorial-fund

Thank you for the outpouring of love and support.

04/09/2026

03/04/2026

Get the New ojibwe app by Midwest Indigenous Immersion Network

The MIIN app is a free download for Apple & Android devices. Please like and share with friends looking for a daily tool that is engaging and supportive! *Hyperlinks in the comment section*

01/16/2026

Minneapolis Native Immersion Program Under Attack, Emergency Donation Request

For 30 years, Wicoie Nandagikendan has supported the next generation of Dakota and Ojibwe language speakers through early childhood immersion classrooms, preK-12 language teacher training, and distributing community meals. Today, we need your help!

We are under siege. Due to the federal freeze on early childhood funding in Minnesota, secured funding is being denied. Our programs are 100% grant funded, with federal funds making up half our annual budget.

We have an immediate need of $50,000 to keep our doors open to the community during this time of unrest. These funds will pay salaries for 10 full-time staff; keep our full-day immersion classroom open, providing consistency and emotional support to 17 children and their families during a time of trauma; and distribute meals to Minneapolis Native families and elders.

You can learn more about Wicoie Nandagikendan here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/minneapolis-native-immersion-program-under-attack?attribution_id=sl:884f0c67-084c-4732-86c0-0f13657c6161&lang=en_US&ts=1768578960&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp17_control&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&fbclid=IwVERDUAPXQeJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeIexYs1K6rKW_i4Lhsjt2LnNXdikEz8lEDfz6E4O4fUQbnZoXiUx7nHpG1q4_aem_kE3ccUDfXcPPaAkTpfTWGw

Pidamiya, Miigwech, thank you for your support!

You can also donate directly to our office via check or PayPal see QR code in comments

01/15/2026

On sorrowful days, many parents and caregivers are searching for ways to support their children as they hear about violence and traumatic events in the news. We’ve gathered trusted guidance and reputable resources to help you have age-appropriate, supportive conversations that can reduce fear and build a sense of safety. Visit our website to read Talking With Children About Violence in the News: Guidance for Parents and Caregivers and find tools to support your family during difficult times: https://namimn.org/talking-with-children-about-violence-in-the-news-guidance-for-parents-and-caregivers/

Via Early Risers Podcast

06/11/2025

05/18/2025

Meet the Native-led, Native-serving organizations receiving inaugural 2025 Minnesota Community IDEAS grants! 🎉

🌟 All Nations Rise
Grant funding will support the expansion of INDIGEBOX, which infuses early childhood education with authentic Indigenous cultures.

🌟 Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
Grant funding will support measures to address mobility issues for Elders to promote health and community connectivity.

🌟 Dakota Wicohan
Grant funding will support the Sunktanka Wicahyuapi (They Care for Horses) program that creates opportunities for youth and cultural revitalization.

🌟 Indigenous Protector Movement
Grant funding will support the Community House, which provides affordable transitional housing and culturally specific healing for Indigenous residents experiencing homelessness and addiction.

🌟 Wicoie Nandagikendan
Grant funding will support the development of an Urban Immersion Campus to restore Minnesota’s Indigenous languages through immersion in early childhood education.

Each of these organizations is making our communities better for everyone through meaningful, community-led change, and we're excited to support the work they do!

See the full list of grantees and how they're using this opportunity to make a positive impact at https://hubs.ly/Q03mdMDW0

04/24/2025